Duncan's Martial Arts Academy Instructors

-Updated February 6, 2008-

5th Dan - 4th Dan - 3rd Dan - 2nd Dan - 1st Dan

Master Jesse Dwire - Godan

Master Dwire began his training with SiGung Duncan in 1989 in Camillus, NY. Master Dwire attended Niagara University where he would start the Niagara University Karate Club and receive his degree in Social Work with a minor in Criminal Justice. At graduation, he was honored with entry into the National Honor Society for Social Work.

In 1999, Master Dwire would move to Lowell, MA where he would assume leadership of Dragon-Phoenix Martial Arts & Fitness school. He continues to own and operate this school.

In 2000, Master Dwire was awareded his 4th degree black belt under the tutelage of Professors Robert Nohelty and James Bryant. In 2004, he was awarded his 5th degree black belt under Masters Bruce and Brett Gonsalves. On November 13, 2004 Master Dwire was awarded his certificate to the rank of Godan (5th Dan) by his instructor SiGung Rudy Duncan and would be presented his Master Instructor's certificate on December 27, 2004. He is very proud of these accomplishments and even though he continues to train with instructors Hanshi Craig Seavey (9th Dan in the Nick Cerio System), whom he greatly respects, he acknowledges SiGung Duncan as his teacher, mentor, and friend for the past 15 years.

Sibak Adam L. Sheldon - Yondan

Sibak Adam L. Sheldon was first introduced to the martial arts in the mid-1980’s, when he began studying American Kenpo at LaValle’s studio in clay, NY. Beyond the martial arts, Sibak Sheldon has an extensive athletic background including Lacrosse (Syracuse University), National level team handball competition, and many years of city league basketball.

I first met Adam in 1989, when we were both working at Grant School in Syracuse, NY. In 1994, he began studying Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu under my supervision and instruction. On the 28th of March, 1998, Sibak Sheldon received his first degree black belt certification (Shodan). On the 20th of February, 2000, he received his second degree black belt (Nidan). He has also successfully completed the instructors training course which consists of over 300 hours of supervised teaching. In April 2002, he was awarded the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt.

Adam has been a tremendous asset to my organization. His 13 years experience as a certified history teacher and coach in the Syracuse City School District have enabled him to become an outstanding martial arts instructor. His organizational skills, professionalism, and teaching style have helped both youth and adults in the dojo build a solid martial arts foundation. Additionally, Sibak Sheldon was instrumental in the research and development of the recently completed instructor’s manual. This difficult task has documented the majority of our system into written form. As my assistant and dojo historian, Adam has helped Duncan’s Martial Arts Academy grow in many positive ways. The success that Sibak Sheldon has achieved in the martial arts is a direct result of commitment to his work, family, faith, and community. - Email Sibak Sheldon

Sibak Ken Swan - Sandan

Sibak Swan was first introduced to the martial arts at age 13. After spending time rehabilitating a knee injury, he decided that martial arts would be a good way to keep his legs strong. He started studying Isshin Ryu Karate Do under the guidance of Shihan Bill Adams. After studying for a short time, Sibak Swan recalled some of the Eastern philosophies he had been told of as a child by his father. His love of the martial arts grew as he trained. He continued to study Isshin Ryu and other styles as time went on. In 1994, he moved to Massachusetts where he soon began training seriously in the Korean art of Tang Soo Do under Master Khaled Dahdouh. During the next few years he competed in several state Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do tournaments, winning awards in Breaking, Sparring, and Forms. In January 1997, Sibak Swan was awarded his Cho Dan (1st Degree) Black Belt in the art of Tang Soo Do. November 1997, he was awarded his 1st Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. During the summer of 1998, Sibak Swan began studying the art of Shaolin Kempo at Masters Self Defense Centers under Sibak Bill West and Shihan Robert Nohetly in Lowell, MA. After moving back to the Western NY area in 1999, Sibak Swan began studying with me here in Syracuse. In December 1999, he was awarded his 1st Degree Black Belt in the art of Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu Kempo. In April 2002, he was awarded the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt.

As well as being a certified instructor for Duncan's Martial Arts Academy. Sibak Swan works as the tireless Webmaster for the Duncan's Martial Arts web site. In September 2001, Sibak Swan started a Kempo Karate Program for Greater Buffalo YMCA at the Northeast Family Branch. In June 2002, he expanded the Kempo Progran to the Delaware Branch. In January 2003, he again expanded the program to include the Greater Buffalo YMCA's new Southtowns Branch. In the Spring of 2003 Sibak Swan introduced a new PeeWee Karate Program teaching children ages 2 to 5.

In August 2004, Sibak Swan opened Swan's Martial Arts Academy in Buffalo, NY.

On March 19, 2005 Sibak Swan was promoted to the rank of Sandan, 3rd Degree Black Belt.- Email Sibak Swan

Sibak Raymond "Skip" Yackel - Sandan

Sensei Yackel began his training in the martial arts in 1991 under the direction of Sigung Rudy Duncan in Camillus, NY. He received his rank of Shodan in 1995. Late in 1995, Sensei Yackel had a heart attack and took several months after surgery to recover. In 1996, he continued his martial arts training and received his 2nd Dan, Nidan, in 1998.

Sensei Yackel continues to train with Sigung Duncan and is the first to say, that his training allowed him to recover quickly from his heart attack and has helped him set goals in his life to keep himself in good shape.

Sensei Yackel is a financial advisor and broker, a husband and proud father of three wonderful girls. He continues to demonstrate that the martial arts training can continue for a lifetime and has many benefits to help the mind, body, and spirit.

Sensei Yackel has set a standard of excellence which is hard to follow. He leads by example in the dojo with his spirit and his dedication to training. It has been an honor for Duncan's Martial Arts Academy to have Sensei Yackel as one of its instructors. Sensei Yackel has been invited by the Board of Examiners to test for his third degree in December of this year. We wish the best for Sensei Yackel and know that he will be successful.

Sibak Ron Broughton - Sandan

I met Ronald Broughton in 1998. Ronald heard about our dojo from a friend and began training with us in 1998. Prior to studying Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu, Ronald had an extensive background in amature boxing. From age 13, he boxed with the Police Athletic League in Brooklyn, NY. By the age of 18 Roanld had sparred with the late Davey Moore and Juan Laporta. In 1978, Sibak Broughton moved to Syracuse.

Sibak Broughton was originally interested in our dojo as a family activity that he could enjoy with his son Raysean and wife Brenda. Ronald quickly showed the physical prowess that he had honed in his earlier boxing days. As he progressed through the system, Ronald also developed mental focus and spiritual understanding of the martial arts. After six years of training, he recieved his Shodan ranking on the 21st of December, 2002.

Duncan's Martial Arts has become a self described "home away from home" for Sibak Broughton. His sincere, genuine love of the martial arts resonates in his teaching. As much as Sibak Broughton claims the dojo has done for him, we feel that we have benefited more from his contribution to our organization.

On March 19, 2005 Sibak Broughton was promoted to the rank of Nidan, 2nd Degree Black Belt.

On November 30, 2007 Sibak Broughton was promoted to the rank of Sandan, 3rd Degree Black Belt.

Sibak Ed Peck - Sandan

Sibak Ed Peck came to our dojo in 1998 by way of the yellow pages! This is noteworthy since I have rarely advertised over the past twenty years. Quality students have found their way to Duncan's Martial Arts Academy primarily by word of mouth.

At the age of seventeen, Ed volunteered to serve his country as an airman in the United States Navy. Based in Syracuse, Ed has spent the past fourteen years traveling the world as an aircraft mechanic. His many ports of call have included Panama, Spain, Turkey, and almost every middle eastern nation. During the first Gulf War, he served on an aircraft carrier deck in support of the coalition forces.

In an effort to stay in shape, Ed started training in Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu in 1998. Four and one half years later, he recieved his Shodan rank on the 21st December, 2002. Sibak Peck has enjoyed success in tournament competition locally and in Canda. He is also currently enrolled in our instructors training program.

On March 19, 2005 Sibak Peck was promoted to Nidan, 2nd Degree Black Belt.

On November 30, 2007 Sibak Peck was promoted to Sandan, 3rd Degree Black Belt.

Sibak Ric Williams - Nidan

Sibak Ric Williams began his martial arts training in 1977 studying Washin Ryu under the tutelage of Ernest Starr at Hidy Ochai's Karate dojo in Syracuse, New York. Over the years he has studied in several different styles and developed a reputation as a formidable sparring opponent.

After beginning a career in law enforcement, Sibak Williams began to see how his martial arts training enhanced his ability to avoid injuries. In 1994, he began training in Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu under my supervision. After a grueling examination, I promoted Ric to the level of Shodan on March 28th, 1998. He has successfully completed my instructors training course, excelling in the teaching of self-defense techniques and sparring. In April 2002, he was awarded the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt.

Sibak Williams is well known for his ability to communicate with children. He majored in Child and Family studies at Syracuse University and has since worked with the Salvation Army's Youth Services Corps, Campfire Boys and Girls, and the Pop Warner Little League Football Association where he coached junior pee wee football. These extensive community service experiences show why Sibak Ric Williams is an important member of my instructional staff. - Email Sibak Williams

Sibak Sherry Richman - Nidan

Sibak Sherry Richman was first introduced to the martial arts at the age of eighteen when she began to study Wing Chun and Gung Fu under Master Johnny Walsh in Syracuse, NY. She studied these systems for the next five years. She then began training in Goju Ryu at Central New York Karate under Sibak Marvin Labatte. She was introduced to the Kempo system while studying at Masters of Karate in Syracuse around 1993. In 1997, Sibak Richman received her Black Belt from Masters of Karate.

I first met Sherry in 1997 when she began training with me in Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu here at Duncan's Martial Arts Academy. On 20th of February, 2000, she received her second degree black belt (Nidan). Sibak Richman has also completed the instructors training course which consists of over 300 hours of supervised teaching.

Sibak Sherry has had a major impact on our program, especially with our kids' classes at which she teaches weekly. She is very easy going and has an excellent relationship with the kids and parents in the program. She has been instrumental in helping run the children's program and developing new ideas to make it better. She has assisted me in numerous seminars in our community and is presently working closely with me in developing our Self Defense Program for Women.

Sibak Sherry is not only an excellent teacher but also a formidable sparring partner. Many of the students and other instructors have had the opportunity to test her skills while sparring. When not at the dojo helping children, Sibak Sherry works as a teaching assistant in the Syracuse City School District. She is very proud of her two wonderful children and her supportive husband, Scott. - Email Sibak Richman

Sibak Bruno Daniele - Nidan

Sensei/Sibak Daniele began his martial arts career in 1975 as a child in New Rochelle, NY studying Peter Urban's USA Goju Karate System. He currently holds Sandan ranking & continues to study under his instructor, Sensei Thomas Maloney 5th Dan, of the Goju Triad in Dutchess County, NY.

In 1990, He began his law enforcement carrer & was introduced to Sifu Carmen Vigliotti, a Firearms and Police Defensive Tactics Instructor & Kenpo stylist, currently a 6th Dan. He trained in the Tracy Kenpo System of Kenpo for 4 years, eventually earning an Instructor Certification.

In 1995, Sensei Daniele's law enforcement / martial journey brought him to Syracuse, NY where he became a Shaolin Kempo Karate student at Masters of Karate, where he subsequently earned Nidan ranking under Sensei Donna Miori 5th Dan He also trained with Rick Williams, a fellow police officer & student of Edward "Rudy" Duncan.

In 1998, with permission & blessings from Sensei Maloney, the St. Joseph's Church Karate Club was established in Camillus, NY where he taught USA Goju & practical self-defense. In 2001, the CNY Academy of Self-Defense was opened with a co-owner, Rodger Smith. A blend of Goju & Kenpo-Jitsu (incorporating the Hard & Soft aspects of both fist methods) was taught. Sensei Daniele left in May 2003 for professional reasons.

In June 2003, Sensei was re-introduced to Sigung Rudy Duncan and was invited to train in Karazenpo Goshinjutsu at the North Area Athletic Club in Syracuse.

In the Fall 2004, he was awarded Shodan rank in Sijo Victor "Sonny" Gacon's System and membership in the KGS Blackbelt Society. In September, with permission and blessings from Sigung Duncan, he re-opened his school, The Syracuse Academy of Self-Defense where the KGS System is taught.

Sensei Daniele blends his 20+ years experience and offers an effective and practical self-defense system for people of all ages and walks of life.

Sibak Gretchen Rauch - Nidan

Gretchen Rauch was first introduced to Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu training at the age of eighteen while a freshman at Niagara University. At the university was a sattelite school of Duncan's Martial Arts, with now Master Jesse Dwire as the instructor. Miss Rauch was able to continue her training during the summer months with SiGung Duncan when she was home from school. The enabled her to receive her black belt withing three years. During her junion year of college she became president of the Karate Club at Niagara as well as the instructor for all classes, until she graduated in 2002 with a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Biology. During her tenure as instructor of the Niagara University Karate Club her students were some of the best prepared for physical portions of the tests. In the fall of 2002, Miss Rauch was accepted and began attending Hofstra University School of Law on Long Island. She graduated in 2005 with a Juris Doctorate, and has returned to Syracuse. Miss Rauch, at present, works at a small law firm Downtown, and is currently training for the federal agent application process. Miss Rauch encourages the mental aspect of the physical training in all classes that she teaches. She is of the firm philosophy that if you break the mental barriers and work beyond what you sometimes believe you cannot do, you will often surprise yourself of what you can accomplish.

Sibak Kathi Schoonmaker - Shodan

Sibak Kathi Schoonmaker began her martial arts training with SiGung Duncan in June of 2000, when a nursing assignment brought her to work in Syracuse. In 2001, when her nursing career took her to Lowell, MA she was able to continue her karate training with one of SiGung's Blakc Belts, Master Jesse Dwire. After traveling as an RN throughout the United States for more than 14 years, in 2002, she returned to the Syracuse area and resumed her training with SiGung Duncan, studying both Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu and Tai Chi

Sibak Schoonmaker currently assist SiGung Duncan with Tai Chi and Women's Self Defense classes and uses her organizational skills to keep the office smoothly.

Sibak Faton Krasniqi- Shodan

Bio coming soon.

Sibak Tom Michlovitch - Shodan

Sibak Tom Michlovitch started studying the martial arts of Tae Kwon Do at the age of 22 at Sun Chung's Tae Kwon Do in Syracuse. After about a year into the program, Tom's college work had taken his free time so he left Tae Kwon Do to pursue his education. Gym class was a requirement in college so he signed up for a semester of Hidy Ochi's Washin Ryu karate under the instruction of one of John White's students. Once a week for 15 weeks Tom studied the art of Washin Ryu karate. Tom then transferred to the University of Buffalo and sporadically studied Tae Kwon Do in the university's Tae Kwon Do club. When Tom graduated from college, he joined John White's school and studied there for about two years. John White decided to retire from teaching and his school all but dissolved. Tom was in graduate school at the time and thought it best to focus on studies and again put training aside. When Tom finished graduate school he was ready to again begin training in the martial arts. He found Duncan's Martial Arts in the yellow pages and started studying in May of 2001. Tom earned the rank of Shodan in November of 2004.

Sibak Rick LaMarre - Shodan

Rick LaMarre began studying martial arts in the late 1980's with Villari's Shaolin Kempo. In March of 2001 he began studying Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu with SiGung Duncan and received his black belt on the 6th of November 2004.

Rick has participated in many athletic activities to include running track at the University of Maine where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was an active duty Armored Cavalry and Infantry officer in the U.S. Army where he was Airborne qualified and is still currently serving the New York Army National Guard. Rick has deployed all over the world for both wartime and peacetime missions.

He is looking forward to teaching and sharing the martial arts with others as he has realized the tremendous mental and physical benefits in Karazenpo Go Shinjutsu.

Sibak Nick Reyes - Shodan

Sibak Reyes began studying the art of Tae Kwon Do at Sun Chong's Tae Kwon Do in Syracuse in 1994. He took a break from training to explore scholastic sports in which he excelled as a lacrosse goalie. In 2000 he began his training in a blended art of Modern Arnis & Kenpo-Jitsu with Rodger Smith working outside in the grass and dirt at Upper Onondaga Park; then the CNY Academy of Self-Defense opened where he met and trained under Sensei Daniele studying a blended art of Goju & Kenpo-Jitsu.

While in college at the Rochester Institute of Technology Mr. Reyes would practice his technique and train vigorously each summer at the CNY Academy of Self-Defense until 2004. In 2005 Mr. Reyes was reintroduced to Sensei Daniele who accepted him as one of his students at the Syracuse Academy of Self-Defense to study Karazenpo Goshinjutsu and USA Goju. While training at SASD Mr. Reyes began assistant instructing with Sibak O’Brien under Sensei Daniele’s supervision. In addition to assistant instructing at SASD Mr. Reyes met Sigung Rudy Duncan in 2005. In 2006 all SASD students and instructors were invited to study Karazenpo Goshinjutsu under Sigung Rudy Duncan. Sibak Reyes earned the rank of Shodan in the art of Karazenpo Goshinjutsu at Duncan’s Martial Arts Academy on December 1, 2007. While studying and instructing KGS at Duncan’s Martial Arts Academy Mr. Reyes continues to study in USA Goju under Sensei Daniele.

Mr. Reyes uses his speed, power and flexibility from Tae Kwon Do training to bring explosive kicks and intensity to his Kempo training. He takes advantage of his study of various blends of hard and soft karate systems to find balance internally as well as externally. He also utilizes his attention to detail to continually improve his Kata and movement.

Sibak Peter O'Brien - Shodan

Sibak O’Brien began his martial arts training as a kid while attending different summer camps in and around the City of Syracuse. He took a break from Martial Arts and concentrated on Football and Lacrosse while attending Henninger High School and wasn’t reintroduced to martial arts until 2003 when he was invited by Sibak Reyes to formally begin training in Modern Arnis & Kenpo-Jitsu at the CNY Academy of Self-Defense.

Mr. O’Brien continued to train at CNY Academy of Self-Defense until 2004. In the fall of 2004 he was contacted by Sensei Bruno Daniele who accepted him as one of his students at the Syracuse Academy of Self-Defense to study Karazenpo Goshinjutsu and USA Goju. During his training with Sensei Daniele he was awarded rank in the art of USA Goju and became an assistant instructor, while training at SASD Mr. O’Brien met Sigung Rudy Duncan. In 2006 all SASD students and instructors were invited to study Karazenpo Goshinjutsu under Sigung Rudy Duncan.

Sibak O’Brien earned the rank of Shodan in the art of Karazenpo Goshinjutsu at Duncan’s Martial Arts Academy on Saturday December 1, 2007.

Sibak O’Brien continues to train with Sigung Duncan as well as assist in instructing the kids program at Bellevue Heights Church under Sensei Daniele who he still actively trains with in the art of USA Goju. Sibak feels a strong responsibility to share the gift of kempo with his fellow students, and strives to prepare himself and his kempo family for the worlds challenges both mentally and physically.